The people of Same speak about climate change. The Green Connection, SAFCEI and Hope for Tanzania facilitated a climate change awareness workshop in the Same district of Tanzania. What is climate change? What causes it? What is its impact on society?
Some of the discussions were eye opening.. Due to the increase in the sun radiation, clothes drying in the sun are actually breaking down. And when women take a very long time to find water or firewood, due to over exploitation of the forests and rivers (exacerbated by climate change), their husbands might think they are having affairs. Stories of drought, crop failures, changing rainfall patterns and increasing Heat are sadly common stories around Southern Africa. However, there are signs that people are working together to turn the tide. A machine that makes charcoal from waste biomass. Sticks, etc, rather than cutting trees could be an innovative step, proving an alternative income to chopping trees. Making plans to investigate water storage, and practical plans working together on forestry management were some of the outcomes of the 2 day event. It was agreed that further capacity building workshops should take place at village level, with a particular focus on women who are bearing the brunt of climate change impacts